Repairs on Delhi’s old Rao Tula Ram (RTR) flyover triggered severe traffic congestion on Wednesday after a carriageway was closed when cracks and peeling were detected on the flyover surface, delaying commuters travelling from Gurgaon towards Delhi and the airport.
The affected carriageway runs from IGI Airport towards Vasant Vihar. Delhi Traffic Police said traffic personnel spotted damage at two locations during a patrol and alerted the Public Works Department. The department then began precautionary repair work, leading authorities to temporarily shut the carriageway.
Vehicles heading towards Vasant Vihar were diverted to the service road and through Dhaula Kuan. The diversion created long queues and slow movement on the surrounding road network, with congestion spilling over to NH-48 and adjoining roads. The disruption particularly affected commuters travelling from Gurgaon towards Delhi and the airport.
Commuters reported journey times of up to 70 to 80 minutes between Gurgaon and Dhaula Kuan. The affected route is an important connection for daily traffic moving between the National Capital Region, the airport and key parts of southwest Delhi, making the closure immediately visible across the wider road network.
The traffic situation was further compounded by the presence of a road-cleaning vehicle operating during peak traffic hours, according to the report. With vehicles diverted from the flyover, traffic was pushed onto service roads and the Dhaula Kuan route, where the additional load contributed to slow movement and extended queues.
The incident also highlights the operational consequences of emergency maintenance on elevated road infrastructure. A defect detected during a traffic patrol led to intervention by the PWD, but the resulting carriageway closure transferred pressure to nearby surface roads and junctions. In a corridor carrying traffic between Gurgaon, Delhi and the airport, even a temporary restriction affected journeys well beyond the flyover itself.
Delhi Traffic Police managed the diversion while the PWD carried out precautionary repairs. The supplied report does not specify the extent of the damage, the repair completion time or when the closed carriageway will reopen. Traffic conditions are therefore dependent on the progress of the repair work and the restoration of normal movement on the RTR flyover.
